Assessment and Treatment of Mood Disorders in Persons with Developmental Disabilities

This article reviews the gradually emerging literature on the diagnosis and treatment of major depression and mania in persons with developmental disabilities. By analyzing prevalence data in the general population and large samples of people with mental retardation, the tendency to underdiagnosis mood disorders becomes apparent. The utility of a method of assessing symptomatic behaviors, which reflect the underlying depressive and manic symptoms, is demonstrated in individuals not able to self-report. A literature review on treatment of mood disorders in persons with developmental disabilities reveals virtually no research on psychotherapy and a modest number of case reports on the successful use of psychopharmacology.